Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 2

夏目友人帳 [Natsume Yūjinchō] #2

by Yuki Midorikawa

Takashi Natsume has always been aware of the supernatural world, but after he inherits a magical book from his grandmother, the supernatural world is aware of him!

Takashi Natsume can see the spirits and demons that hide from the rest of humanity. He has always been set apart from other people because of his gift, drifting from relative to relative, never fitting in. Now he's a troubled high school student who has come to live in the small town where his grandmother grew up. And there he discovers that he has inherited more than just the Sight from the mysterious Reiko.

Much to his surprise, Takashi is settling into his new home. He's even making friends at school. So when some of the other kids invite him to a test of courage at the old abandoned high school, he joins in despite his reservations. But the rumors about the old school being haunted are absolutely true, and the spirit that lives there has a special hatred for humans!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Supernatural, Graphic Novels, Comics, Paranormal, Young Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2006

About the author

Yuki Midorikawa (緑川ゆき, Midorikawa Yuki) is a Japanese mangaka (manga artist). Midorikawa is best known for drawing the manga series Natsume Yujin-cho ("Natsume's Book of Friends").

Yuki Midorikawa started writing manga when she was an elementary school girl. When she was a junior high school student, she sent her manga for the first time to "Hana to Yume", a semi-monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Hakusensha. Since then, she had kept drawing manga to become a mangaka.

Reviews

[Ken Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

More sweet tales about Natsume and his encounters with Youkai. Though it's called "Book of Friends" these stories do an excellent job in invoking a sense of loneliness. Natsume is so isolated because of his condition, as are the trapped youkai that he meets. Though the stories are simple, there's a feeling of something profound within them.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get a read on people. Why can't I ever see their hearts clearly?

Along with cooler weather, I associate autumn with nature preparing for sleep. This melancholy yokai story is the only thing I've read this October that had a haunted vibe to it. I've watched the anime TV series of Natsume and have enjoyed coming back to the earlier parts of his journey, as he starts building a group of real friends around him, both human and otherworldly.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The atmosphere of Book of a Friends is so peaceful and gentle, making a very delightful read.

In this volume the mangaka tested out several ideas relating to the yokai and Natsume's relationship. Perhaps not plot twists as such (seeing as this is an episodic manga) but ideas that were a little out of the ordinary.

I am beginning to like this manga more and more. It's simple charm and art are combined to take the reader on a journey through fantasy.

[Maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't capture me as much as the first one for some reason. I like the set up, and the main character, but I think the individual Yokia stories weren't quite as sweet as in book one.

[Kate♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5stars

hm... i kinda lost interest with this one like not even half way through... its just very repetitive tbh. I might continue? Cause i really hope it gets better but.. we'll see

[Tabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really wanted to like this manga but I just couldn't get into it

[Vendea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natsume je jako pohlazení po duši - skvělá oddechovka s příjemnou kresbou a tlupou yokai, kteří se snaží získat zpět své jméno. V případě Natsumeho jsem se s tou polštinou trochu prala (narozdíl třeba od Food Wars), ale v kontextu se to dalo. Moc fajn!

3.5/5*

[Lory Blanco (areaderheart) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wholesome and enjoyable stories...but there's a lot of repetition at times and it gets annoying.

[Susan ...relish every word!!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooooo Goooood!!! I am addicted!!!...on to the next!!!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of Natusme's interactions with Yokai and humans. I love the new insight of an exorcists thoughts on Yokai and how negative it is in comparison to Natsume.

[Lissibith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this second volume is a little stronger than the first, but it carries on that atmosphere that makes me love this series. The story of a test of courage in an old school leads to questions of self-image and worth and friendship and kindness. A lovely volume. :)

[Heather D-G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five PLUS stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+++
Just fantastic!
If you are coming from the anime, you can expect all the characters you know and love, portrayed with even more depth and feeling. I especially enjoy the author’s quarter-page notes about their process.
Highly recommended.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now protected by his cat "sensei" Natsume becomes more confident and dares some interaction with both classmates and yokai. This brings him both greater happiness and greater risk.

[machinaheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

In SHORT: Magical, personal and quietly brilliant.
In DETAIL:

Themes: Being different, loneliness, creatures from myth and legend, friendship and camaraderie and the meaning of family.
Setting: Rural Japan in all its loveliness! (When it comes to a time period I’d say, roughly the ‘here and now’.)
Atmosphere: At once magical and ordinary. The focus on interpersonal relationships in a world where a vast array of supernatural creatures are never far, is the key to making this story so wonderful. It is almost always less about the being’s strangeness and abilities, but rather its hopes and wishes.
Characters & Relationships: Every character is incredibly unique and loveable in their own way. What I adore the portrayal of the ayakashi is that Natsume always tries to understand the circumstances of a creature first and only if there is no other way will try to bind it or even kill it. Mostly the ayakashi are shown as having different values or being ignorant of human customs.
Plot: Natsume has to cope with his ability to see ayakashi and with the mysterious “Book of Friends” his grandmother left behind. Not to mention this erratic lucky-cat (that is actually something very different) called Nyanko-sensei. At first the chapters are rather episodic in a monster of the week style (but many really touching and never boring), but somewhere along the line more characters, supernatural and human, appear and as Natsume’s friends and acquaintances expand, the plot branches out.
Cover & Artwork: The artwork has a lovely light touch which adds to feeling of otherworldliness and gives it a sense of fragility.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natsume and his bodyguard (a spirit embodied in a Chinese lucky cat) tackle spirits in a haunted house and a spirit that just wants to play the lute one more time.

This is a sweet series. Natsume is a wonderful character. He's been bumped around from distant family member to family member because he's odd (he sees spirits), so he just wants to find a place to settle in. He spends most of these stories helping yokai. I enjoy the friendly, gentle feel of these books. This one was almost a four stars for me so I'll read the next in the series.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐

Natori Shuichi is here! Since his first appearance in the anime, I've been looking forward to finally read about his first encounter with Natsume in the manga.

Other than the Fujiwaras, I'm so glad Natsume has Natori to depend on. The way he immediately assures Natsume that he is a good kid and how Natsume doesn't have to be ashamed of anything is so heartwarming.

Akagane and Asagi's story is probably my favourite in this volume.

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second volume solidifies the format (in a good way!) and starts expanding the world a bit, including the establishment of some recurring secondary characters and the introduction of a kindred spirit. Definitely worth reading through if you kinda liked the first volume but had doubts, this should decide it for you. (B+)

[Derek Newman-Stille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natsume is starting to develop friendships amongst the Yokai and amongst the humans he encounters. He still feels like an outsider and his life is still shaped by loneliness to some degree, but he is finding people and Yokai who he can relate to. Even if he is still unable to be himself completely around everyone, Natsume is still able to develop valuable and cherished relationships.

[Aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I feel the same about vol.2 as I felt about vol.1. This manga is beautifully drawn, I like the delicate and tender art style. The story has heart and the plot is rather on contemplating side of things.
The story is a great fit if you like paranormal books with episodic structure.

I might continue reading the manga if my library has the follow-up volumes.

[WyrmbergSabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like about this series is you can read each story on its own, each tale gives you everything you need to understand what's going on and then carries on with a new tale about the book of friends, the yokai and confidence in yourself.
I really enjoy this series because it's gentle, fun and bittersweet too.
Something slightly different from the usual manga on the library shelves.

[Hiromi]

Natsume met new people, Tanuma and Natori (Tanuma appeared in volume1) who can see the Ayakashi(spirits) same as Natsume. I think Tanuma will become bestfriend of Natsume because he can aware of his whole situation. Notori is a interesting character. He has a same ability with Natsume but they have different way of thinking about Ayakashi. I'm not sure which is right
I want to read nex volume!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to ascertain age appropriateness for school Library.
This manga has an interesting premise, following Natsume - a young boy who is fairly traumatized after being passed around the family like an unwanted gift - as he determines to free the Yokai his grandmother entrapped decades earlier. Some of the Yokai are pretty spooky, but otherwise this is an okay read.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories and love the mangaka's comments!! Reading it like a journal is a great idea! It makes a lot of sense to read it from that perspective. And the Neverending Story flight scene?!?! Yaaaaaaaah!! I love Nyanko Sensei even MORE now! The cover for volume 2 is perfect with that reveal!

[Glowingocactus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this series but most of the time I’m kind of confused as to what’s happening. Also I know that this was released in chapter installments but it’s still kind of annoying that Natsume’s situation gets explained every chapter. I do like the art style and the yokai though.

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

So in theory the concept of this manga is good, and even the story's as they progressed were good, but I was not a huge fan of the fact that every chapter felt the need to spend a few pages setting up the premise of the series, this is something that will stop me continuing the series.

[Raechel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natsume is back with more adventures with his yokai companion. We meet more people and yokai connected together. Beginning to realize that back in the olden days, the people may have seen yokai more than they do now.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story

[Khari · Rating 5 out of 5]

夏目のキャラは時々自己矛盾的。でもそれはいいこと。普通の人間も時々に逆説行為をする。夏目のパラドックスは妖怪に怖いながら好きだ。人間を好きながら避ける。妖怪に時々信用していると時々疑える。人間と同じ行動。この性格の側面は夏目の魅力だ。誰でもはこういう自己矛盾あるから夏目と共鳴する。

[Elias Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely an amazing manga series.

[Mizuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5